US20040035675A1 - Comb plate for people mover - Google Patents
Comb plate for people mover Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20040035675A1 US20040035675A1 US10/343,695 US34369503A US2004035675A1 US 20040035675 A1 US20040035675 A1 US 20040035675A1 US 34369503 A US34369503 A US 34369503A US 2004035675 A1 US2004035675 A1 US 2004035675A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- comb plate
- fact
- conducting
- tooth
- teeth
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 238000012806 monitoring device Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 16
- 238000011156 evaluation Methods 0.000 claims description 24
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 10
- 238000012544 monitoring process Methods 0.000 description 9
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 description 5
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 description 5
- 238000012360 testing method Methods 0.000 description 5
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 4
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000002349 favourable effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000010998 test method Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000004020 conductor Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000007689 inspection Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 2
- ATJFFYVFTNAWJD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Tin Chemical compound [Sn] ATJFFYVFTNAWJD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000004026 adhesive bonding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002950 deficient Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000013013 elastic material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000003292 glue Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011796 hollow space material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000007373 indentation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011810 insulating material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000012212 insulator Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002990 reinforced plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000758 substrate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012549 training Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003442 weekly effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
- B66B—ELEVATORS; ESCALATORS OR MOVING WALKWAYS
- B66B29/00—Safety devices of escalators or moving walkways
- B66B29/02—Safety devices of escalators or moving walkways responsive to, or preventing, jamming by foreign objects
- B66B29/06—Combplates
Definitions
- the present invention concerns a comb plate for a people mover with a step belt, having a base plate and a number of teeth arranged on one side of it, essentially parallel to one another, which mesh in use with grooves provided in the step belt, whereby the comb plates have an upper side that is exposed and a lower side that is concealed in use.
- Comb plates of this kind are used, for example, in escalators or moving sidewalks. They prevent objects, such as clothing articles, shoes, or even body parts of traveling guests from being taken along and crushed at the place where the step belt “disappears” in operation.
- teeth or prongs are provided, which mesh with corresponding grooves in the step belt. The teeth are beveled in such a way that move an object carried along with the step belt away and thus prevent it from being caught or crushed.
- the step belt is the area of the people mover that moves the people. On it, along the exposed surface of the path of movement, the traveling guests are carried along, walking or standing.
- the step belt is also called a stair belt.
- This stair belt consists of several stair steps connected to one another, on the upper side of which grooves are provided.
- the step bands In moving sidewalks, the step bands have plate bodies connected to one another; the step band is also called a plate belt.
- the plates also have grooves on their upper side to mesh with the comb plate.
- Moving sidewalks are also known in which the step band consists of a relatively elastic material, for example a reinforced plastic material, running essentially along the entire step band, i.e. in step bands of this kind, there are no slits between individual plate bodies or stair bodies.
- Comb plates consists, for example, of cast tin or cast aluminum and have about 80 teeth in each case, about 2 mm wide and 4 cm long.
- the teeth of the comb plate are relatively small and are subject to breakage.
- Legal standards for example European standard EN 115 for the people mover mentioned, require regular checking of the people mover, for example weekly or daily. Thus a daily checking of the teeth according to EN 115 requires a “superintendent.” According to EN 115, a people mover must no longer be operated if two directly adjacent teeth are broken. These required regular inspections make operation much more expensive. Thus, for example, the superintendent requires training. In addition, he has to be paid for his activities.
- the task of the present invention is therefore to provide a people mover with a comb plate or a comb plate in which the physical presence of a control person is not required.
- This task is accomplished according to the invention by providing an electric tooth-break monitoring device.
- the monitoring device is constructed advantageously in such a way that a warning signal is generated when two adjacent teeth are broken. It is favorable to construct the tooth-break monitoring signal in such a way that a first warning signal can be generated as a maintenance signal when a tooth breaks and a second warning signal can be generated as a stop signal in case two adjacent teeth break, which interrupts operation of the system.
- a third warning signal can also be generated when, for example, 3 or more non-adjacent teeth break, so that the comb plate can be replaced preventively.
- the monitoring device has advantageously at least a first conducting path, advantageously on the lower side of the comb plate, which goes at least through the region of a tooth that is in danger of breaking.
- the conducting path can also be provided, for example, in an indentation or a hollow space in the comb-plate tooth or cast into the tooth.
- the conducting path is favorably a flat element, similar to a conducting path, that has low independent stability and breaks off easily, for example in case a tooth breaks, and thus prevents current from flowing through the line.
- the concept of conducting path is to be viewed in a broad manner.
- a non-flat line for example a wire
- the latter especially when the conducting path goes essentially through the entire length of the tooth, in order to detect break damage at the extreme ends of the tooth.
- a tooth typically does not break at its extreme end, but preferentially between the base of the tooth and the extreme end. For reliable monitoring of breakage, it is required that the conducting path run through this region of the comb-plate teeth most susceptible to breakage.
- Conducting paths are provided advantageously through all teeth of the comb plate.
- a monitoring circuit is provided advantageously, which is connected to at least one conducting path.
- a signal e.g. a voltage
- this monitoring circuit detects the breakage of a tooth, for example, or breakage of 3 or more non-adjacent teeth, then it generates a warning signal that is transmitted, for example, to a remote monitoring center or a remote maintenance center. From there, a replacement of this damaged comb plate can be initiated while the people mover can still perform its service.
- a stop signal is generated, which stops the operation of the people mover.
- the remote monitoring center can also be notified that the people mover has been turned off, if necessary.
- a conducting-path rail is also provided advantageously, from which at least one conducting path branches and goes through the region of a tooth that is in danger of breaking and is connected to an evaluation circuit.
- conducting paths branch from the conducting-path rail as there are teeth in the comb plate, each running through the region of a tooth in danger of breaking and connected to an evaluation circuit.
- the conducting paths of adjacent teeth are connected to an OR gate for each pair of teeth and the output of the OR gate is connected to an AND gate. If two adjacent teeth are broken, both conducting paths are defective and the voltage applied to the conducting-path rail does not reach the OR gate through either of the adjacent teeth.
- the OR gate thus becomes logically “false.”
- the outputs of the OR gates are combined through the AND gates. If one of the outputs of the OR gates is logically “false,” then the output of the AND gate is also logically “false,” and a stop signal is generated.
- the individual conducting paths can be connected to a common conducting-path rail at the input to the evaluation circuit and thereby the characteristic voltages of the individual teeth can be added.
- addition of the characteristic voltages can also take place in the evaluation circuit. Comparison of the measured value with the target value for the sum of the characteristic voltages shows whether a tooth is broken or not. By determining the difference between the target value and the actual value, it can be determined which tooth or which teeth is/are broken.
- the signal generator is constructed in such a way that at any particular point in time only one signal is given to one conducting path. If no signal comes to the evaluation circuit during the period of the corresponding signal, then the corresponding conducting path has been broken and breakage of this particular tooth is assumed.
- a conducting path extends advantageously essentially through the entire length of a tooth. This has the advantage, in comparison with extending only through the region in danger of breaking, that a break can be detected essentially over the entire length of the tooth. This is desirable for reasons of reliable break detection.
- a conducting path is glued to the comb plate.
- a flexible film for example a PCB film.
- the film can then be glued to the comb plate and the comb plate is ready for installation after the evaluation circuit has been connected.
- the film serves favorably in this case as an insulating material for the conducting paths with respect to the conducting material of the comb plate.
- the evaluation circuit can also be provided on the film. It can, for example, likewise be applied to the film by a photolithographic process.
- the evaluation circuits i.e. the corresponding electronic components on the conducting paths can be connected to the film and attached to the film and glued on with it. It is especially favorable to use so-called SMD (Surface Mounted Device) components and attach them to the film.
- SMD Surface Mounted Device
- the invention also concerns a people mover with a step belt that is characterized by the fact that it has a comb plate according to the invention. It should be pointed out that the present invention is also outstanding in that it is very easy to equip existing systems with this monitoring device through a later conversion. Thus, on the one hand, the possibility exists that existing comb plates can be replaced by comb plates with a monitoring device. Alternatively, the possibility also exists of later equipping comb plates already in use by gluing an appropriate film with a monitoring circuit, which keeps the costs of the conversion low.
- FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a comb plate according to the invention with a tooth-break monitoring device
- FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of the test procedure in the tooth-break monitoring device of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 3 shows schematically a comb plate according to the invention with an alternative embodiment of a tooth-break monitoring device
- FIGS. 4 a - 4 d show the production steps for a comb plate according to the invention.
- FIG. 1 a part of comb plate 2 with teeth 4 is shown, in particular the lower side of the comb plate 2 .
- An electric tooth-break monitoring device 6 can be seen with conducting paths 8 and an evaluation circuit 10 provided on the lower side of the comb plate 2 .
- the conducting paths 8 run essentially along the entire length of the teeth 4 from the base of each tooth 12 to shortly before its front end 14 .
- the conducting paths 8 themselves are of a material with low independent stability.
- the metal wires or metal films, for example, which can be deposited onto a substrate can be considered as materials for the conducting paths 8 , as well as conducting plastic materials.
- Breakage of an individual tooth 4 can be checked, for example, by applying a test voltage to one side of a conducting path 8 . If the test voltage can be measured at the other end of the conducting path 8 , then the conducting path 8 is undamaged and it can be assumed that the tooth 4 is undamaged.
- an evaluation circuit 10 is required, which can be provided on the comb plate 2 , for example.
- lines can also extend outward and outside the comb plate 2 , for example connected directly to the control system of the people mover and evaluated by it.
- the evaluation circuit 10 shown in FIG. 1 has a signal generator 14 with outputs Y 0 , Y 1 , . . . Yn, to each of which a conducting path 8 going to a tooth is connected. There is a total of 2 n teeth on the comb plate.
- the opposite ends of the conducting paths 8 are connected together through a common line 16 to the signal generator 14 and connected to the evaluation circuit at the input 18 of the evaluation circuit 10 .
- the signal generator 14 can involve a “1-of-n decoder,” which is controlled by a microcontroller 18 through a data line 20 .
- the microcontroller 18 can be of type “8051,” for example, which sends a counter state between 0 and n at predetermined intervals, for example 0.25 seconds, to the 1-of-n decoder 14 .
- counter state x x is a value between 0 and n
- the 1-of-n decoder 14 switches output Yx to logical “high,” while the other outputs remain “low.” If the input 17 of the microcontroller 18 is then at the value logically “high,” then the corresponding conducting path 8 is undamaged, and a tooth break is not assumed. If, in contrast, the value at input 17 to the microcontroller 18 is “low,” then it can be assumed from this that the conducting path 8 and thereby the corresponding tooth 4 is damaged.
- the microcontroller 18 is in a position to record damaged teeth 4 and compare the stored values to each other. If it is determined in this manner that, for example, 3 or more non-adjacent teeth are damaged, then a maintenance signal is sent for replacement of the comb plate 2 . If a break is detected in two adjacent teeth 4 , then a STOP signal is sent, for example through a serial interface 22 , to the control system of the people mover.
- a possible test procedure for the tooth-break monitoring device of FIG. 1 is shown in the block diagram of FIG. 2.
- the counter state 26 is equal to zero.
- the counter state is given at 28 to port 0 and the data line 20 .
- port 1 i.e. the input 17 to the microcontroller 18 is read at 30 and the value at the input 17 is checked at 32 . If it is equal to one, then the counter state is increased by one at 34 and a check is made at 36 whether the counter [state] is equal to n. If the counter state is not yet equal to n, then the counter state, now increased by one, is sent at 28 to port 0 and the procedure is repeated.
- step 34 the counter state is increased by one and another check is made at step 36 whether the counter state is already equal to n. If the counter state is equal to n in step 36 , then the stored counter value, i.e. the counter state value at which the tooth is broken, is sent to the control in step 44 and subsequently, in step 46 , the counter state is set to zero, after which, the individual values 0 through n are gone through again, starting with step 26 .
- FIG. 3 a comb plate 2 with teeth 4 is shown.
- the evaluation circuit 10 can also be seen.
- the comb plate 2 has 2 [sic] a conducting rail 48 , from which individual conducting paths 8 branch, each of which goes through a tooth 4 to the evaluation circuit 10 .
- the evaluation circuit shown consists of OR gates 50 and an AND gate 52 .
- the conducting paths 8 of each pair of two adjacent teeth go to an OR gate 50 .
- the outputs of the individual OR gates go to an AND gate 52 .
- a test voltage is applied to the conducting-path rail 48 .
- the output of an OR gate 50 is logically “correct” if the test voltage is present at one of the two inputs 54 , 56 of the OR gate 50 . This means that, in case one of the two teeth 4 of a pair of adjacent teeth is broken, the output signal of the corresponding OR gate 50 is nevertheless logically “correct.” Only in case two adjacent teeth are broken is the test voltage not present at the two inputs 54 , 56 and the output of the OR gate is logically “false.” The individual outputs of the OR gates 50 are applied to the inputs of the AND gate 52 .
- the output of the AND gate 52 is logically “false.” If the output of the AND gate 52 is logically “false,” this means a break in two adjacent teeth 4 and a stop signal is given correspondingly to the system.
- branch lines 58 can be led, for example, from the conducting paths 8 to an AND gate 60 . If the output is logically “false,” then this is a signal for a broken tooth 4 .
- the outputs of the AND gates 52 , 60 can be led, for example, to the control system of the people mover.
- the conducting paths 8 , 58 can be provided, for example, on a carrier film 62 .
- the carrier film 62 can involve a PCB film, for example, which has an adhesive coating on one side.
- the film 62 can therefore serve simultaneously as a carrier for the adhesive and as an insulator for the conducting paths.
- the conducting paths can either be glued to the film 62 separately or, alternatively, the conducting paths can be applied by a photolithographic process or another process of printing technology.
- the evaluation circuit 10 can already be provided on the film 62 .
- individual components of the evaluation circuit 10 can be attached in the manner of SMD components on the film 62 and connected to the conducting paths.
- FIG. 4 a process is shown for applying a monitoring device 6 to a comb plate 2 in a people mover.
- the comb plate 2 is shown. Its lower side can be seen in particular.
- the comb plate 2 has teeth 4 .
- a roller 64 can also be seen, with which adhesive can be applied to the relevant regions of the comb plate 2 .
- FIG. 4 b the process for applying the adhesive with the adhesive roller 64 has ended.
- FIG. 4 c the film 42 [sic; 62 ] is positioned with the tooth-break monitoring device through the lower side of the comb plate 2 .
- the usual positioning techniques from lithographic processes can be used favorably.
- FIG. 4 d the film 62 has been glued to the comb plate 2 and the cut 66 from the film is removed.
- the finished comb plate 2 according to FIG. 4 d can be mounted in the people mover.
- the electric contact between the conducting plates on the comb plate 2 and/or the evaluation circuit on the comb plate 2 and, for example, the control of the people mover can be produced either through a cable-plug connection or, for example, through contact surfaces pressed against corresponding contact elements on the people mover.
Abstract
A comb plate (2) for a people mover with a step belt, having a base plate and a number of teeth (4) applied to one side of it, arranged essentially parallel to one another, which mesh in use with grooves in a people mover, whereby the comb plate (2) has an upper side that is exposed and a lower side that is concealed in use, characterized by the fact that an electric tooth-break monitoring device (6) is provided.
Description
- The present invention concerns a comb plate for a people mover with a step belt, having a base plate and a number of teeth arranged on one side of it, essentially parallel to one another, which mesh in use with grooves provided in the step belt, whereby the comb plates have an upper side that is exposed and a lower side that is concealed in use.
- Comb plates of this kind are used, for example, in escalators or moving sidewalks. They prevent objects, such as clothing articles, shoes, or even body parts of traveling guests from being taken along and crushed at the place where the step belt “disappears” in operation. For this purpose, teeth or prongs are provided, which mesh with corresponding grooves in the step belt. The teeth are beveled in such a way that move an object carried along with the step belt away and thus prevent it from being caught or crushed.
- The step belt is the area of the people mover that moves the people. On it, along the exposed surface of the path of movement, the traveling guests are carried along, walking or standing. In an escalator, the step belt is also called a stair belt. This stair belt consists of several stair steps connected to one another, on the upper side of which grooves are provided. In moving sidewalks, the step bands have plate bodies connected to one another; the step band is also called a plate belt. The plates also have grooves on their upper side to mesh with the comb plate. Moving sidewalks are also known in which the step band consists of a relatively elastic material, for example a reinforced plastic material, running essentially along the entire step band, i.e. in step bands of this kind, there are no slits between individual plate bodies or stair bodies.
- Comb plates consists, for example, of cast tin or cast aluminum and have about 80 teeth in each case, about 2 mm wide and 4 cm long. The teeth of the comb plate are relatively small and are subject to breakage. Legal standards, for example European standard EN 115 for the people mover mentioned, require regular checking of the people mover, for example weekly or daily. Thus a daily checking of the teeth according to EN 115 requires a “superintendent.” According to EN 115, a people mover must no longer be operated if two directly adjacent teeth are broken. These required regular inspections make operation much more expensive. Thus, for example, the superintendent requires training. In addition, he has to be paid for his activities. Whereas functional inspections of the essentially different electrical and mechanical components of an escalator or moving sidewalk can be made by remote monitoring (REM—Remote Escalator Monitoring), checking for breakage of the teeth of the comb plate has so far required the physical presence of a control person.
- The task of the present invention is therefore to provide a people mover with a comb plate or a comb plate in which the physical presence of a control person is not required.
- This task is accomplished according to the invention by providing an electric tooth-break monitoring device.
- The monitoring device is constructed advantageously in such a way that a warning signal is generated when two adjacent teeth are broken. It is favorable to construct the tooth-break monitoring signal in such a way that a first warning signal can be generated as a maintenance signal when a tooth breaks and a second warning signal can be generated as a stop signal in case two adjacent teeth break, which interrupts operation of the system. A third warning signal can also be generated when, for example, 3 or more non-adjacent teeth break, so that the comb plate can be replaced preventively.
- The monitoring device has advantageously at least a first conducting path, advantageously on the lower side of the comb plate, which goes at least through the region of a tooth that is in danger of breaking. The conducting path can also be provided, for example, in an indentation or a hollow space in the comb-plate tooth or cast into the tooth. The conducting path is favorably a flat element, similar to a conducting path, that has low independent stability and breaks off easily, for example in case a tooth breaks, and thus prevents current from flowing through the line. The concept of conducting path is to be viewed in a broad manner. Although a flat conductor is preferred for reasons of production technology, a non-flat line, for example a wire, can also be involved, the latter especially when the conducting path goes essentially through the entire length of the tooth, in order to detect break damage at the extreme ends of the tooth. A tooth typically does not break at its extreme end, but preferentially between the base of the tooth and the extreme end. For reliable monitoring of breakage, it is required that the conducting path run through this region of the comb-plate teeth most susceptible to breakage.
- Conducting paths are provided advantageously through all teeth of the comb plate.
- A monitoring circuit is provided advantageously, which is connected to at least one conducting path. For monitoring of breakage, a signal, e.g. a voltage, can be applied to the conducting paths, which is given or not given to the monitoring circuit in case a conducting path or a tooth is damaged. If this monitoring circuit detects the breakage of a tooth, for example, or breakage of 3 or more non-adjacent teeth, then it generates a warning signal that is transmitted, for example, to a remote monitoring center or a remote maintenance center. From there, a replacement of this damaged comb plate can be initiated while the people mover can still perform its service. If breakage of another tooth, adjacent to a broken tooth, is detected before the comb plate can be replaced, a stop signal is generated, which stops the operation of the people mover. In addition, the remote monitoring center can also be notified that the people mover has been turned off, if necessary.
- A conducting-path rail is also provided advantageously, from which at least one conducting path branches and goes through the region of a tooth that is in danger of breaking and is connected to an evaluation circuit. Advantageously, as many conducting paths branch from the conducting-path rail as there are teeth in the comb plate, each running through the region of a tooth in danger of breaking and connected to an evaluation circuit.
- Advantageously, the conducting paths of adjacent teeth are connected to an OR gate for each pair of teeth and the output of the OR gate is connected to an AND gate. If two adjacent teeth are broken, both conducting paths are defective and the voltage applied to the conducting-path rail does not reach the OR gate through either of the adjacent teeth. The OR gate thus becomes logically “false.” The outputs of the OR gates are combined through the AND gates. If one of the outputs of the OR gates is logically “false,” then the output of the AND gate is also logically “false,” and a stop signal is generated.
- Alternatively, several conducting paths can be connected advantageously to a signal generator that can generate a characteristic signal for each conducting path, and opposite ends of the conducting paths are connected to an input of an evaluation circuit. The characteristic signal can be, for example, a characteristic voltage, which is established for each tooth. According to the structure, the individual conducting paths can be connected to a common conducting-path rail at the input to the evaluation circuit and thereby the characteristic voltages of the individual teeth can be added. Alternatively, addition of the characteristic voltages can also take place in the evaluation circuit. Comparison of the measured value with the target value for the sum of the characteristic voltages shows whether a tooth is broken or not. By determining the difference between the target value and the actual value, it can be determined which tooth or which teeth is/are broken.
- Advantageously, the signal generator is constructed in such a way that at any particular point in time only one signal is given to one conducting path. If no signal comes to the evaluation circuit during the period of the corresponding signal, then the corresponding conducting path has been broken and breakage of this particular tooth is assumed.
- A conducting path extends advantageously essentially through the entire length of a tooth. This has the advantage, in comparison with extending only through the region in danger of breaking, that a break can be detected essentially over the entire length of the tooth. This is desirable for reasons of reliable break detection.
- Advantageously, a conducting path is glued to the comb plate. In this case, it is especially favorable to glue the conducting path to the comb plate with a flexible film, for example a PCB film. In this way, it is possible, by known processes, for example a photolithographic process, to produce conducting paths on a film and cut the film to correspond to the shape of the comb plate. The film can then be glued to the comb plate and the comb plate is ready for installation after the evaluation circuit has been connected. The film serves favorably in this case as an insulating material for the conducting paths with respect to the conducting material of the comb plate.
- Advantageously, the evaluation circuit can also be provided on the film. It can, for example, likewise be applied to the film by a photolithographic process. Alternatively, the evaluation circuits, i.e. the corresponding electronic components on the conducting paths can be connected to the film and attached to the film and glued on with it. It is especially favorable to use so-called SMD (Surface Mounted Device) components and attach them to the film.
- The invention also concerns a people mover with a step belt that is characterized by the fact that it has a comb plate according to the invention. It should be pointed out that the present invention is also outstanding in that it is very easy to equip existing systems with this monitoring device through a later conversion. Thus, on the one hand, the possibility exists that existing comb plates can be replaced by comb plates with a monitoring device. Alternatively, the possibility also exists of later equipping comb plates already in use by gluing an appropriate film with a monitoring circuit, which keeps the costs of the conversion low.
- The invention will be explained in more detail the following by means of an embodiment example shown in drawings. Here:
- FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a comb plate according to the invention with a tooth-break monitoring device;
- FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of the test procedure in the tooth-break monitoring device of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 3 shows schematically a comb plate according to the invention with an alternative embodiment of a tooth-break monitoring device; and
- FIGS. 4a-4 d show the production steps for a comb plate according to the invention.
- In FIG. 1, a part of
comb plate 2 withteeth 4 is shown, in particular the lower side of thecomb plate 2. An electric tooth-break monitoring device 6 can be seen with conductingpaths 8 and anevaluation circuit 10 provided on the lower side of thecomb plate 2. The conductingpaths 8 run essentially along the entire length of theteeth 4 from the base of eachtooth 12 to shortly before itsfront end 14. The conductingpaths 8 themselves are of a material with low independent stability. Thus the metal wires or metal films, for example, which can be deposited onto a substrate can be considered as materials for the conductingpaths 8, as well as conducting plastic materials. - Breakage of an
individual tooth 4 can be checked, for example, by applying a test voltage to one side of a conductingpath 8. If the test voltage can be measured at the other end of the conductingpath 8, then the conductingpath 8 is undamaged and it can be assumed that thetooth 4 is undamaged. - In order to detect whether two
adjacent teeth 4 are broken, anevaluation circuit 10 is required, which can be provided on thecomb plate 2, for example. Alternatively, lines can also extend outward and outside thecomb plate 2, for example connected directly to the control system of the people mover and evaluated by it. - The
evaluation circuit 10 shown in FIG. 1 has asignal generator 14 with outputs Y0, Y1, . . . Yn, to each of which a conductingpath 8 going to a tooth is connected. There is a total of 2 n teeth on the comb plate. The opposite ends of the conductingpaths 8 are connected together through acommon line 16 to thesignal generator 14 and connected to the evaluation circuit at theinput 18 of theevaluation circuit 10. Thesignal generator 14 can involve a “1-of-n decoder,” which is controlled by amicrocontroller 18 through adata line 20. Themicrocontroller 18 can be of type “8051,” for example, which sends a counter state between 0 and n at predetermined intervals, for example 0.25 seconds, to the 1-of-n decoder 14. Corresponding to counter state x (x is a value between 0 and n), the 1-of-n decoder 14 switches output Yx to logical “high,” while the other outputs remain “low.” If theinput 17 of themicrocontroller 18 is then at the value logically “high,” then the corresponding conductingpath 8 is undamaged, and a tooth break is not assumed. If, in contrast, the value atinput 17 to themicrocontroller 18 is “low,” then it can be assumed from this that the conductingpath 8 and thereby thecorresponding tooth 4 is damaged. Themicrocontroller 18 is in a position to record damagedteeth 4 and compare the stored values to each other. If it is determined in this manner that, for example, 3 or more non-adjacent teeth are damaged, then a maintenance signal is sent for replacement of thecomb plate 2. If a break is detected in twoadjacent teeth 4, then a STOP signal is sent, for example through aserial interface 22, to the control system of the people mover. - A possible test procedure for the tooth-break monitoring device of FIG. 1 is shown in the block diagram of FIG. 2. At the
start 24 of the test procedure, thecounter state 26 is equal to zero. The counter state is given at 28 toport 0 and thedata line 20. Thenport 1, i.e. theinput 17 to themicrocontroller 18 is read at 30 and the value at theinput 17 is checked at 32. If it is equal to one, then the counter state is increased by one at 34 and a check is made at 36 whether the counter [state] is equal to n. If the counter state is not yet equal to n, then the counter state, now increased by one, is sent at 28 toport 0 and the procedure is repeated. If it is determined at 32 that value applied to theinput 17 of the microcontroller is not equal to one, i.e. it is “low,” the corresponding counter state is stored at 38. At 40, a check is made whether the value at theinput 17 of the microcontroller was zero at the previous counter state, i.e. the previous tooth was broken. If so, it is determined that two neighboring teeth are broken and at 42 a message is sent to the control of the people mover. If the previous tooth was not broken, then instep 34 the counter state is increased by one and another check is made atstep 36 whether the counter state is already equal to n. If the counter state is equal to n instep 36, then the stored counter value, i.e. the counter state value at which the tooth is broken, is sent to the control instep 44 and subsequently, instep 46, the counter state is set to zero, after which, theindividual values 0 through n are gone through again, starting withstep 26. - In FIG. 3, a
comb plate 2 withteeth 4 is shown. Theevaluation circuit 10 can also be seen. Thecomb plate 2 has 2 [sic] a conductingrail 48, from whichindividual conducting paths 8 branch, each of which goes through atooth 4 to theevaluation circuit 10. The evaluation circuit shown consists of ORgates 50 and an ANDgate 52. The conductingpaths 8 of each pair of two adjacent teeth go to anOR gate 50. The outputs of the individual OR gates go to an ANDgate 52. - A test voltage is applied to the conducting-
path rail 48. The output of anOR gate 50 is logically “correct” if the test voltage is present at one of the twoinputs OR gate 50. This means that, in case one of the twoteeth 4 of a pair of adjacent teeth is broken, the output signal of the corresponding ORgate 50 is nevertheless logically “correct.” Only in case two adjacent teeth are broken is the test voltage not present at the twoinputs gates 50 are applied to the inputs of the ANDgate 52. In case only one of the inputs of the ANDgate 52 is logically “false,” the output of the ANDgate 52 is logically “false.” If the output of the ANDgate 52 is logically “false,” this means a break in twoadjacent teeth 4 and a stop signal is given correspondingly to the system. - In order to establish whether an
individual tooth 4 is broken in thecomb plate 2,branch lines 58 can be led, for example, from the conductingpaths 8 to an ANDgate 60. If the output is logically “false,” then this is a signal for abroken tooth 4. The outputs of the ANDgates - The conducting
paths carrier film 62. Thecarrier film 62 can involve a PCB film, for example, which has an adhesive coating on one side. Thefilm 62 can therefore serve simultaneously as a carrier for the adhesive and as an insulator for the conducting paths. The conducting paths can either be glued to thefilm 62 separately or, alternatively, the conducting paths can be applied by a photolithographic process or another process of printing technology. Likewise, theevaluation circuit 10 can already be provided on thefilm 62. For example, individual components of theevaluation circuit 10 can be attached in the manner of SMD components on thefilm 62 and connected to the conducting paths. - In FIG. 4, a process is shown for applying a
monitoring device 6 to acomb plate 2 in a people mover. In the uppermost diagram of FIG. 4a, thecomb plate 2 is shown. Its lower side can be seen in particular. Thecomb plate 2 hasteeth 4. Aroller 64 can also be seen, with which adhesive can be applied to the relevant regions of thecomb plate 2. In FIG. 4b, the process for applying the adhesive with theadhesive roller 64 has ended. In FIG. 4c, the film 42 [sic; 62] is positioned with the tooth-break monitoring device through the lower side of thecomb plate 2. Here, the usual positioning techniques from lithographic processes can be used favorably. In FIG. 4d, thefilm 62 has been glued to thecomb plate 2 and thecut 66 from the film is removed. - The finished
comb plate 2 according to FIG. 4d can be mounted in the people mover. The electric contact between the conducting plates on thecomb plate 2 and/or the evaluation circuit on thecomb plate 2 and, for example, the control of the people mover can be produced either through a cable-plug connection or, for example, through contact surfaces pressed against corresponding contact elements on the people mover.
Claims (15)
1. A comb plate (2) for a people mover with a step belt, having a base plate and a number of teeth (4) arranged on it essentially parallel to one another, which mesh in use with grooves provided on the step belt of a people mover, wherein the comb plate (6) has a upper side that is exposed and a lower side that is concealed in use
characterized by the fact
that an electric tooth-break monitoring device (6) is provided.
2. A comb plate (2) according to claim 1 , characterized by the fact that the monitoring device (6) is constructed in such a way that when two adjacent teeth (4) are broken, a warning signal is generated.
3. A comb plate (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the fact that the monitoring device (6) has at least one conducting path (8) on the lower side of the comb plate (2), which goes through at least one tooth (4) through its region that is susceptible to breakage.
4. A comb plate (2) according to claim 3 , characterized by the fact that conducting paths (8) are provided for all teeth (4) of the comb plate (2).
5. A comb plate (2) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized by the fact that an evaluation circuit (10) is provided that is connected to at least one conducting path (8).
6. A comb plate (2) according to one of claims 3 though 5, characterized by the fact that a conducting-path rail (48) is provided, from which the at least one conducting path (8) branches, goes through the region of a tooth (4) that is in danger of breaking, and is connected to an evaluation circuit (10).
7. A comb plate (2) according to claim 6 , characterized by they fact that conducting paths (8) of adjacent teeth (4) are connect to an OR gate (50) for each pair of teeth and the outputs of the OR gates (50) are connected to an AND gate (52).
8. A comb plate (2) according to one of claims 3 through 5, characterized by the fact that several conducting paths (8) are connected to a signal generator (14) that can generate a characteristic signal for each conducting path (8) and that the opposite ends of the conducting paths (8) are connect to an input of an evaluation circuit (10).
9. A comb plate (2) according to claim 7 , characterized by the fact that the signal generator (14) is constructed in such a way that it gives only one signal to each conducting path (8).
10. A comb plate (2) according to one of claims 3 through 9, characterized by the fact that a conducting path (8) extends essentially through the entire length of a tooth (4).
11. A comb plate (2) according to one of claims 3 though 10, characterized by the fact that a conducting path (8) is glued to the comb plate (2).
12. A comb plate (2) according to claim 11 , characterized by the fact that the conducting path (8) is glued onto the comb plate (2) with a flexible film (62).
13. A comb plate (2) according to claim 12 , characterized by the fact that the film (62) is a PCB film.
14. A comb plate (2) according to one of claims 11 through 13, characterized by the fact that the electronic components of the evaluation circuit (10) are glued onto the comb plate (2) with the film (62).
15. A people mover with a step belt, characterized by the fact that it has a comb plate (2) according to one of the preceding claims.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/343,695 US6976571B2 (en) | 2000-07-31 | 2001-07-30 | Comb plate for people mover |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
DE100-37-172.8 | 2000-07-31 | ||
DE10037172A DE10037172B4 (en) | 2000-07-31 | 2000-07-31 | Comb plate for passenger conveyors |
PCT/US2001/021584 WO2002010041A1 (en) | 2000-07-31 | 2001-07-03 | Comb plate for people mover |
US10/343,695 US6976571B2 (en) | 2000-07-31 | 2001-07-30 | Comb plate for people mover |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20040035675A1 true US20040035675A1 (en) | 2004-02-26 |
US6976571B2 US6976571B2 (en) | 2005-12-20 |
Family
ID=31889035
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/343,695 Expired - Lifetime US6976571B2 (en) | 2000-07-31 | 2001-07-30 | Comb plate for people mover |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US6976571B2 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE112005003696T5 (en) | 2005-09-16 | 2009-04-16 | Otis Elevator Co., Farmington | Optical monitoring of the crest line of escalators and moving walkways |
Families Citing this family (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN104936883B (en) * | 2012-07-24 | 2017-08-11 | 蒂森克虏伯扶梯有限公司 | Have fool proof escalator or moving sidewalk |
KR101378851B1 (en) * | 2013-06-26 | 2014-03-27 | (주)미주하이텍 | A safety comb plate of escalator |
US9560853B2 (en) * | 2014-12-23 | 2017-02-07 | Aleksandr Taslagyan | Return flow conveyor device for heating food items |
CN107662875B (en) | 2016-07-29 | 2021-07-06 | 奥的斯电梯公司 | Monitoring and detecting of engagement state of step and comb plate of passenger conveyor |
EP3473579A1 (en) * | 2017-10-18 | 2019-04-24 | Otis Elevator Company | Comb plate and people conveyor |
Citations (27)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4800998A (en) * | 1988-01-21 | 1989-01-31 | Otis Elevator Company | Escalator comb safety device |
US5096040A (en) * | 1991-09-24 | 1992-03-17 | Otis Elevator Company | Detection of missing steps in an escalator or moving walk |
US5236075A (en) * | 1992-04-06 | 1993-08-17 | Bartmann Horst M | Escalator broken roller detector |
US5255771A (en) * | 1991-07-18 | 1993-10-26 | Montgomery Elevator Company | Combplate safety device |
US5608780A (en) * | 1993-11-24 | 1997-03-04 | Lucent Technologies Inc. | Wireless communication system having base units which extracts channel and setup information from nearby base units |
US5611417A (en) * | 1995-04-24 | 1997-03-18 | Inventio Ag | Apparatus for stopping a passenger conveyor |
US5623534A (en) * | 1995-04-07 | 1997-04-22 | Lucent Technologies Inc. | Method and apparatus for exchanging administrative information between local area networks |
US5828737A (en) * | 1995-10-24 | 1998-10-27 | Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson | Communications service billing based on bandwidth use |
US5991639A (en) * | 1996-10-02 | 1999-11-23 | Nokia Mobile Phones Limited | System for transferring a call and a mobile station |
US5999813A (en) * | 1995-05-04 | 1999-12-07 | Interwave Communications | Overlay cellular communication system |
US6104803A (en) * | 1997-01-31 | 2000-08-15 | Alcatel Usa Sourcing, L.P. | Intelligent service peripheral device |
US6151628A (en) * | 1997-07-03 | 2000-11-21 | 3Com Corporation | Network access methods, including direct wireless to internet access |
US6219346B1 (en) * | 1997-12-02 | 2001-04-17 | At&T Corp. | Packet switching architecture in cellular radio |
US20010001268A1 (en) * | 1998-12-23 | 2001-05-17 | Opuswave Networks, Inc. | Wireless local loop system supporting voice/IP |
US6241070B1 (en) * | 1995-10-18 | 2001-06-05 | Loderway Pty. Limited | Systems for the conveyance of standing passengers |
US6267219B1 (en) * | 2000-08-11 | 2001-07-31 | Otis Elevator Company | Electronic safety system for escalators |
US20010043577A1 (en) * | 2000-02-22 | 2001-11-22 | Peter Barany | System and method for controlling a wireless packet switched voice call |
US20020099854A1 (en) * | 1998-07-10 | 2002-07-25 | Jacob W. Jorgensen | Transmission control protocol/internet protocol (tcp/ip) packet-centric wireless point to multi-point (ptmp) transmission system architecture |
US6427170B1 (en) * | 1998-12-08 | 2002-07-30 | Cisco Technology, Inc. | Integrated IP address management |
US20020101848A1 (en) * | 2000-12-05 | 2002-08-01 | Ivan Lee | Systems and methods for on-location, wireless access of web content |
US6473413B1 (en) * | 1999-06-22 | 2002-10-29 | Institute For Information Industry | Method for inter-IP-domain roaming across wireless networks |
US6496505B2 (en) * | 1998-12-11 | 2002-12-17 | Lucent Technologies Inc. | Packet tunneling optimization to wireless devices accessing packet-based wired networks |
US6512754B2 (en) * | 1997-10-14 | 2003-01-28 | Lucent Technologies Inc. | Point-to-point protocol encapsulation in ethernet frame |
US6515989B1 (en) * | 1998-12-22 | 2003-02-04 | Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ) | Collecting per-packet billing data in a packet data service |
US20030095527A1 (en) * | 2001-11-07 | 2003-05-22 | Vyankatesh Shanbhag | Gb parameter based radio priority |
US6601688B1 (en) * | 1999-10-21 | 2003-08-05 | Otis Elevator Company | Passenger conveyor gap monitoring device |
US6666319B2 (en) * | 2000-06-02 | 2003-12-23 | Kone Corporation | Safety device for escalators and moving walkways |
Family Cites Families (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE2135864C3 (en) | 1971-07-17 | 1975-04-17 | Jan 8500 Nuernberg Hudecek | Safety device for escalators |
JPH0725575A (en) | 1993-07-14 | 1995-01-27 | Mitsubishi Denki Bill Techno Service Kk | Comb tooth damage detecting device for escalator |
DE19855023B4 (en) | 1998-11-30 | 2006-10-05 | Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V. | Method for applying conductor structures to arbitrarily shaped surfaces |
DE29907184U1 (en) | 1999-04-22 | 1999-08-26 | Thyssen Fahrtreppen Gmbh | Escalator or moving walk |
-
2001
- 2001-07-30 US US10/343,695 patent/US6976571B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Patent Citations (28)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4800998A (en) * | 1988-01-21 | 1989-01-31 | Otis Elevator Company | Escalator comb safety device |
US5255771A (en) * | 1991-07-18 | 1993-10-26 | Montgomery Elevator Company | Combplate safety device |
US5096040A (en) * | 1991-09-24 | 1992-03-17 | Otis Elevator Company | Detection of missing steps in an escalator or moving walk |
US5236075A (en) * | 1992-04-06 | 1993-08-17 | Bartmann Horst M | Escalator broken roller detector |
US5608780A (en) * | 1993-11-24 | 1997-03-04 | Lucent Technologies Inc. | Wireless communication system having base units which extracts channel and setup information from nearby base units |
US5623534A (en) * | 1995-04-07 | 1997-04-22 | Lucent Technologies Inc. | Method and apparatus for exchanging administrative information between local area networks |
US5611417A (en) * | 1995-04-24 | 1997-03-18 | Inventio Ag | Apparatus for stopping a passenger conveyor |
US5999813A (en) * | 1995-05-04 | 1999-12-07 | Interwave Communications | Overlay cellular communication system |
US6212395B1 (en) * | 1995-05-04 | 2001-04-03 | Interwave Communications International Ltd. | Cellular communication system |
US6241070B1 (en) * | 1995-10-18 | 2001-06-05 | Loderway Pty. Limited | Systems for the conveyance of standing passengers |
US5828737A (en) * | 1995-10-24 | 1998-10-27 | Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson | Communications service billing based on bandwidth use |
US5991639A (en) * | 1996-10-02 | 1999-11-23 | Nokia Mobile Phones Limited | System for transferring a call and a mobile station |
US6104803A (en) * | 1997-01-31 | 2000-08-15 | Alcatel Usa Sourcing, L.P. | Intelligent service peripheral device |
US6151628A (en) * | 1997-07-03 | 2000-11-21 | 3Com Corporation | Network access methods, including direct wireless to internet access |
US6512754B2 (en) * | 1997-10-14 | 2003-01-28 | Lucent Technologies Inc. | Point-to-point protocol encapsulation in ethernet frame |
US6219346B1 (en) * | 1997-12-02 | 2001-04-17 | At&T Corp. | Packet switching architecture in cellular radio |
US20020099854A1 (en) * | 1998-07-10 | 2002-07-25 | Jacob W. Jorgensen | Transmission control protocol/internet protocol (tcp/ip) packet-centric wireless point to multi-point (ptmp) transmission system architecture |
US6427170B1 (en) * | 1998-12-08 | 2002-07-30 | Cisco Technology, Inc. | Integrated IP address management |
US6496505B2 (en) * | 1998-12-11 | 2002-12-17 | Lucent Technologies Inc. | Packet tunneling optimization to wireless devices accessing packet-based wired networks |
US6515989B1 (en) * | 1998-12-22 | 2003-02-04 | Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ) | Collecting per-packet billing data in a packet data service |
US20010001268A1 (en) * | 1998-12-23 | 2001-05-17 | Opuswave Networks, Inc. | Wireless local loop system supporting voice/IP |
US6473413B1 (en) * | 1999-06-22 | 2002-10-29 | Institute For Information Industry | Method for inter-IP-domain roaming across wireless networks |
US6601688B1 (en) * | 1999-10-21 | 2003-08-05 | Otis Elevator Company | Passenger conveyor gap monitoring device |
US20010043577A1 (en) * | 2000-02-22 | 2001-11-22 | Peter Barany | System and method for controlling a wireless packet switched voice call |
US6666319B2 (en) * | 2000-06-02 | 2003-12-23 | Kone Corporation | Safety device for escalators and moving walkways |
US6267219B1 (en) * | 2000-08-11 | 2001-07-31 | Otis Elevator Company | Electronic safety system for escalators |
US20020101848A1 (en) * | 2000-12-05 | 2002-08-01 | Ivan Lee | Systems and methods for on-location, wireless access of web content |
US20030095527A1 (en) * | 2001-11-07 | 2003-05-22 | Vyankatesh Shanbhag | Gb parameter based radio priority |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE112005003696T5 (en) | 2005-09-16 | 2009-04-16 | Otis Elevator Co., Farmington | Optical monitoring of the crest line of escalators and moving walkways |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US6976571B2 (en) | 2005-12-20 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
EP1311445B1 (en) | Comb plate for people mover | |
AU2002227493A1 (en) | Comb plate for people mover | |
CN101263073B (en) | Elevator load member wear and failure detection | |
CN108028651B (en) | Control device for a vehicle and method for operating such a control device | |
US6976571B2 (en) | Comb plate for people mover | |
EP1087219A3 (en) | Sensor failure or abnormality detecting system incorporated in a physical or dynamic quantity detecting apparatus | |
EP0842848A3 (en) | Ice thickness detector | |
WO2007031106A1 (en) | Optically monitoring comb-line of escalators and moving walks | |
GB2488230A (en) | LED lighting device for a vehicle having photodiodes to detect LED failure | |
JP2020179976A (en) | Passenger conveyor | |
EP1548410A2 (en) | Starting block for swimmers having a capacitive sensor system | |
PT1433368E (en) | ELECTRONIC CIRCUIT CONTAINING CONDUCTIVE BRIDGES AND METHODS OF ACHIEVEMENT OF THE SAME | |
CN105984801A (en) | Passenger conveyor | |
US4054385A (en) | Apparatus for determining the position of a spot of light on a plane surface | |
JP2768585B2 (en) | Abnormality detection device for pulse generator | |
JP2009527834A (en) | Fire detection system and aircraft equipped with this system | |
DE50300423D1 (en) | Diagnostic block for connection to an installation bus system | |
JPH09166627A (en) | Inspecting device with instruction device | |
JP3688451B2 (en) | Piping damage detection method and piping damage detection device | |
JP5535148B2 (en) | Weight detection sensor and weight detection system | |
JP2006290522A (en) | Railing of passenger conveyer and its diagnostic method | |
RU1813666C (en) | Path-control transducer | |
SE441632B (en) | DEVICE FOR MOVING OBJECTS | |
JPH0710663B2 (en) | Train door switch open / close operation detection device | |
SU1166210A2 (en) | Device for detecting glazed frost on aerial power line |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY, CONNECTICUT Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:SCHOPS, KARL-FRIEDRICH;MORTIZ, ANDREAS;REEL/FRAME:016316/0052 Effective date: 20010903 |
|
STCF | Information on status: patent grant |
Free format text: PATENTED CASE |
|
FPAY | Fee payment |
Year of fee payment: 4 |
|
FPAY | Fee payment |
Year of fee payment: 8 |
|
FPAY | Fee payment |
Year of fee payment: 12 |